Women in Urban Areas Experience More Violence Than Those in Rural Communities

The Women, Law and Development Forum (FWLD) has conducted a study on the abuse and violence faced by women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period in Nepal. The report highlights the mistreatment and violence women endure from family members, relatives, and healthcare providers. Kathmandu, 23 April — Although the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act guarantees respectful maternity services, many pregnant women continue to suffer abuse and violence, the study reveals. The FWLD published its report on Wednesday titled “An Investigation into Abuse, Violence, and Rights Violations Experienced by Pregnant, Laboring, and Postpartum Women in Nepal.” The study shows that more than one-third of women in these stages have faced some form of violence. Advocate Dipesh Shrestha from FWLD noted that violence is more prevalent among housewives, with perpetrators often being family members, relatives, neighbors, and husbands.

The research further identifies instances of abuse and violence inflicted by healthcare providers on pregnant women. Among emotional, physical, and sexual violence, emotional abuse is the most widespread. Compared to rural areas, women residing in urban centers suffer higher rates of violence. Specifically, pregnant women in the Madhesh region and women in the Far-Western region during childbirth and postpartum periods experience greater emotional abuse, according to the findings. The study surveyed 1,680 women—560 pregnant, 560 in labor, and 560 postpartum—living in metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, municipal, and rural municipalities. Shrestha shared that the investigation took place across 28 local units in 14 districts of seven provinces. Each local unit included 60 women: 20 pregnant, 20 within 42 days postpartum, and 20 between 42 days and three months postpartum. Data indicates that 38.4 percent of pregnant women, 37.9 percent of women in labor, and 35.9 percent of postpartum women experienced violence. Additionally, emotional violence affected 30.7 percent of pregnant women, 32.7 percent of laboring women, and 30 percent of postpartum women, confirming the prevalence of emotional abuse during these critical periods.